Britain's No 1 Robson went a break ahead early on, but Kanepi's power from the back of the court proved too much for the 19-year-old and she took the first set on a tie-break.

Robson lost her temper on a couple of occasions and it showed in her play as she succumbed to a 7-6 (8/6) 7-5 defeat, ending her hopes of becoming the first British woman to reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 29 years.

She will be inside the world's top 30 for the first time when the rankings are updated next week.

She had made a confident start today in front of a noisy crowd. Indeed it was Kanepi who seemed to be letting the occasion get the better of her.

A double fault from the Estonian handed Robson her first chance to break, but Kanepi came up with the goods, firing down a deep serve which her opponent could only return wide.

Robson won a baseline rally and sent down a big ace to win her next two service games to love.

Kanepi regained some confidence briefly, but she then wilted on serve, offering up three break points. Robson wasted the first, over-hitting a forehand, but she took the second opportunity, hitting a bruising forehand return after a weak second serve from her opponent.

It was Robson's turn to feel the nerves as she blazed long to allow Kanepi to break back immediately. The teenager then turned the air blue with a loud curse.

A tie-break followed and Robson claimed first blood, going a mini-break up when Kanepi netted. Robson was 5-2 in front but then hit trouble, losing four straight points, soon allowing Kanepi to break and seal the set.

Robson was on the ropes early in the second set, handing Kanepi a break point in the first game. The British number one responded perfectly though by hitting a 99mph ace before going on to hold.

A huge squeal in frustration from Robson came as she lost the sixth game of the set to love. The tantrum made her lose her focus as Kanepi gained two break points, but Robson answered by sending down a pair of aces.

Robson continued to struggle to cope with Kanepi's power. The Englishwoman changed her tactics in the eighth game, momentarily leaving the baseline.

The key blow came in the 11th game. Serving to move 6-5 ahead, Robson capitulated, offering Kanepi three break points. The Estonian needed just one as Robson found the net again.

That offered Kanepi the chance to serve out for the match. Robson saved two match points to take the game to deuce and Kanepi wasted two more chances to win.

The home crowd sensed a possible comeback, but Kanepi put paid to those hopes with a typically big forehand from the back of the court.